Word On The Street: ABC Looking To Buy KRON; Disney Big Suits Coming To SF To 'Assess The Market'; Monday First Start

No one is talking on the record because they won't or can't but the big rumor is that ABC is actively interested in buying KRON. In fact, one of my sources told me that an offer was already on the table for around $200 million--I would assume that would include the mound of corporate debt too --in any event, the offer, supposedly, was turned down

But the idea makes too much sense. Which doesn't necessarily mean it will happen because of the load of issues ahead. But KRON is already inside the ABC Broadcast Center at 900 Front and has a SSA (shared-services agreement) with KGO-TV. One day soon you're going to see both station's air talent on each others screen. Privately, I'm told that ABC is sending a few of it major industry execs to SF to "assess the market." I doubt they're coming here just to eat at a few restaurants and walk the Embarcadero.

Yes, of course the unions are nervous.

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Former Chronicle/KGO-TV Reporter/Anchor Cecilia Vega Hits Bigtime; Named Weekend Co-Anchor of World News Tonight

 I'm a big fan of Cecilia Vega--you may remember she was a reporter for the SF Chronicle--then marched out of newspapers direct to KGO-TV before becoming a legitimate newswoman superstar and got a gig at ABC News in LA.

Now, she's really hit the career jackpot.

Vega and Tom Llamas are the new weekend anchors for ABC's "World News Tonight" broadcasts.

ABC made the announcement today. (Monday) They've been doing fill-in duty on the broadcasts since the previous weekend anchor, David Muir, took over on weekdays last September.

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415 Media: ABC7/KGO-TV Reporter Nick Smith Abruptly Resigns; GA Correspondent Wanted Full-Time Status

 KGO-TV veteran General Assignment reporter and all-around good guy, Nick Smith resigned late last week, suddenly.

I'm told by an ABC7 source that Smith was turned down by management after requesting full-time status at the SF O and O. Smith has been a part-time contributor even though he'd been reporting at the station since 2006.

Smith is also an aspiring actor and appeared on a few notable ABC shows but his news reporting was generally first-rate and I'd be very surprised if Smith didn't turn up soon at a local or out-of-town station.

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ABC News 'blues; staff cutbacks, restructuring

ABC News announced a wholesale staff reduction Tuesday night, citing the present economic downturn and changes in the news business in the digital age.

Its staff of over 1400 may be reduced anywhere from 10% up to 25%. No one division of ABC's staff will be immune from the cuts, according to News President David Westin. He indicated that the actual number of layoffs would exceed at least 140.

Locally, ABC owned KGO-TV, (ABC7) is a part of the o and o, (owned and operated) network.

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